Life raft

ABSTRACT

A one man life raft capable of being launched by a single person, requiring no inflation, and providing maximum protection against the elements. The raft comprises a molded hull of polyethylene or similar synthetic resinous material and is of generally circular or disk-like configuration defining a main compartment or cockpit having a closable hatch to completely seal the same with an occupant disposed inside. Snorkel means provides fresh air in the absence of water intake. Adjacent the main compartment are a pair of non-communicating flotation tanks capable of keeping the device afloat should the main compartment be flooded. An adjustable backrest supports the occupant in a semi-reclining position when the cover is closed, and allows a sitting position with the head of the occupant projecting out of the main compartment in good weather. The device is approximately four feet in diameter and two feet in height, and is configured to permit the stacking of a plurality of such devices.

llnite States Patet Mousetis 1 LIFE RAFT [76] Inventor: Harry X. Mousetis, 17 Old Farms Rd, Great Neck, NY. 11020 [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 336,497

[52] U.S. Cl 9/3, 9/1 A, 9/4 R [51] Int. Cl. 1363c 9/06 [58] Field of Search 9/3, 2 A, 4 R, 11, l A

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,042,894 10/1912 Crull et al. 9/4 R 3,064,282 11/1962 Kangas 9/4 R 3,120,007 2/1964 Perinich 9/1 R 3,259,926 7/1966 Otterman 9/4 R 3.295.151 1/1967 Hall 9/4 R Primary ExaminerGeorge E. A. Halvosa Assistant ExaminerSherman D. Basinger Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles E. Temko June 4, 1974 5 7 ABSTRACT A one man life raft capable of being launched by a single person, requiring no inflation, and providing maximum protection against the elements. The raft comprises a molded hull of polyethylene or similar synthetic resinous material and is of generally circular or disk-like configuration defining a main compartment or cockpit having a closable hatch to completely seal the same with an occupant disposed inside. Snorkel means provides fresh air in the absence of water intake. Adjacent the main compartment are a pair of non-communicating flotation tanks capable of keeping the device afloat should the main compartment be flooded. An adjustable backrest supports the occupant in a semi-reclining position when the cover is closed, and allows a sitting position with the head of the occupant projecting out of the main compartment in good weather. The device is approximately four feet in diameter and two feet in height, and is configured to permit the stacking of a plurality of such devices.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures minim" m4 3.8131117 LIFE RAFT This invention relates generally to the field of life preserving devices for use at sea, and more particularly to an improved life raft capable of completely protecting a single occupant, although providing flotation for additional survivors clinging to the same. Devices of this general type are known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details permitting low cost of manufacture, ease in handling, and superior protection afforded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a molded disk-like hollow structure of polyethylene, polypropylene, or similar synthetic resinous material having limited flexibility, and the ability to absorb shock upon impact. The hull defines a main compartmentor cockpit, and a plurality of buoyancy tanks. The main compartment is sealable by a cover to shield an occupant from the elements. The compartment is provided with a movable backrest, enabling the occupant to assume a semi-reclining position with the cover in position, and an upright sitting position when the cover is open. Snorkel breathing means enables the cover to remain in position for extended periods of time with an occupant inside. An extendable mast having metallic fins on an upright end thereof provides radar reflective means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. I is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an offset sectional view as seen from the plane 4-4 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a hull element 11, a cover element 12, breathing means 13, radar reflective means 14, a bracket element l5, floatation tanks 16 and 17, and storage means 18 and 19.

As has been mentioned, the hull element 11 is preferably formed from molded polyethylene, of a thickness sufficient to provide relative rigidity, but allow considerable distortion upon impact, with the ability to resume its original shape without difficulty. Polyethylene is a relatively inexpensive material, and being chemically inert, it requires only occasional painting. Preferably, the lower surfaces of the device are painted black, or other dark colors, so not to serve as an attraction for sharks and other predatory fish. The upper surfaces may be painted a bright orange or similar color to assist in ready observation from the air.

The hull element includes a bottom wall 21, an arcuate side wall 22 and a top wall 23 defining a generally rectangular opening 24 leading to a main compartment 25. A pair of vertically arranged septums 26 and 27 define with the hull the floatation tanks 16 and 17, and horizontal septums 28 provide the storage means 18 and 19 accessible-through hinged doors 29 and 30. A socket-forming tube 31 includes a closed bottom end 32 and an open upper end 33 accommodating an extendable mass '34 having metallic vanes 35 on the upper end thereof, this structure forming the means 14.

The cover element 12 is also of molded synthetic resinous material, although it may be of lightweight metallic material, if desired. It includes a planar portion 37 and a rimmed portion 38, the free edge 39 of which is provided with a rubber gasket sealing means. This sealing means cooperates with corresponding means 40, the upper surface of the wall 23 when the rimmed portion 38 engages a trough-like border 41 of the opening 24. Extending through the plane-of the cover are a plurality of pivotally mounted dogs 42, 43, 44 and 45, each including an upper handle 46, a lower handle 47 and locking means 48 engaging an inner surface 49 of the border 41. A hand hold 50 also provides means for tying the cover element 12 to the hull element 11 by a rope (not shown), thereby eliminating the necessity of providing hinged means therebetween. The rope may be tied to any of three hand holds 51, 52 and 53 positioned in the upper surface of the top wall 23.

The breathing means 13 is in the form of an extendable snorkel, including a tube 54, the lower end 55 of which projects into the main compartment, and the upper end 56 of which is accommodated within a recess 56 until moved upwardly to operating position when the device has been launched.

The backrest element 15 is preferably of molded fiber glass, for purposes of rigidity, and although illustrated as a simple molding, it may be provided with cushioning means (not shown) upon the upper surface thereof, if desired. It includes a planar wall member 58, having an upper end 59 and a lower end 60 and is preferably provided with an opening 61 permitting manual engagement to shift the same between the position shown in full lines in FIG. 3, and that shown in dashed lines. In the full line position, it is maintained against slipping by a transverse ridge 62 engaging the lower end 60, whereby the occupant may be supported in a semi-reclining position when the cover is closed. When the cover is open, the backrest element 15 may be moved to a completely horizontal position, and the occupant may sit with his head projecting out of the opening 24.

The bottom wall 21 includes an indented portion 64 which accommodates the upper handles 46 of an adjacent device when a plurality of the same are stacked. Hand holds 64 are also provided to prevent the device to be righted should it land upside down in the water. A rope on 66 may be supported from the periphery of the hull to permit the manual grasping thereof by other survivors afloat in the water.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A life raft comprising: a molded synthetic resinous hull of generally disc-like configuration, said hull including a lower wall, an arcuate side wall, and a top wall defining an opening; a plurality of septums within said hull and forming a main compartment and a pair of symmetrically disposed floatation tanks on either side thereof, said opening communicating with said main compartment; a cover element of configuration corresponding to that of said opening, said cover having at least one pivotally mounted dog extending through the plane thereof to be operable from either of two opposed surfaces of said cover, said dog including latching means for securing said cover to said opening in said top wall; backrest means of elongated generally planar configuration disposed within said main compartment beneath said opening, said lower wall having a transversely extending ridge thereon, said backrest having a corresponding free edge selectively engagable with said ridge and being adjustable between first and second positions, in a first position of which said edge is disengaged from said ridge and said backrest lies substantially flat on said lower wall, whereby an occupant of said main compartment may be supported in a semi reclining position with said cover in closed condition, and in a second position in which said edge is engaged with said ridge, and said backrest is supported at an opposite end by said side wall in angularly disposed position relative to said lower wall in which said occupant may assume a sitting position with his head projecting through said opening.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in the provision of snorkel breathing means communicating between said main compartment and an upper surface of said hull, 

1. A life raft comprising: a molded synthetic resinous hull of generally disc-like configuration, said hull including a lower wall, an arcuate side wall, and a top wall defining an opening; a plurality of septums within said hull and forming a main compartment and a pair of symmetrically disposed floatation tanks on either side thereof, said opening communicating with said main compartment; a cover element of configuration corresponding to that of said opening, said cover having at least one pivotally mounted dog extending through the plane thereof to be operable from either of two opposed surfaces of said cover, said dog including latching means for securing said cover to said opening in said top wall; backrest means of elongated generally planar configuration disposed within said main compartment beneath said opening, said lower wall having a transversely extending ridge thereon, said backrest having a corresponding free edge selectively engagable with said ridge and being adjustable between first and second positions, in a first position of which said edge is disengaged from said ridge and said backrest lies substantially flat on said lower wall, whereby an occupant of said main compartment may be supported in a semi-reclining position with said cover in closed condition, and in a second position in which said edge is engaged with said ridge, and said backrest is supported at an opposite end by said side wall in angularly disposed position relative to said lower wall in which said occupant may assume a sitting position with his head projecting through said opening.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in the provision of snorkel breathing means communicating between said main compartment and an upper surface of said hull. 